If a rental property in Georgia fails to meet legally required health and safety standards, tenants have the right to report their landlord to local public officials who may choose to follow up, inspect the property and cite the landlord for such violations.
What Are Considered Unsafe Living Conditions in Georgia?
In Georgia, unsafe living conditions exist when a rental property doesn’t have safe and working:
- Plumbing.
- Heating (in winter).
- Hot water (if provided).
- Common areas.
- Other features impacting health, safety, or habitability.
What Should Tenants Do Before Reporting a Violation in Georgia?
In most cases, before reporting a violation, a tenant in Georgia must notify the landlord in writing about the needed repair and ask him to fix it within a reasonable time for that issue.
How Can Tenants Report a Violation in Georgia?
Tenants in Georgia should report violations to the local office or officers responsible for housing code enforcement. The exact process depends on municipality.
| Location | Organization | Contact |
| Atlanta | Code Enforcement Section | Online Form |
| Columbus | Building and Zoning Services | Online Form |
| Augusta | Code Enforcement | Call (706) 312-5050 |
After receiving a complaint, an inspecting officer might contact the tenant for more information. Then the officer will usually inspect the property and cite the landlord for any code violations.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Atlanta?
A tenant in Atlanta can report a health or safety violation by calling the Code Enforcement Section at (404) 546-3800 or using the online form. Account creation is required. After making an account, select the relevant issue from the provided list, follow the prompts to document the issue, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Columbus?
A tenant in Columbus can report a health or safety violation by calling Building and Zoning Services at (614) 645-7433 or using the online form. Account creation is required. Most issues will fall under “City Code Violations.” Enter the location, detail the issue, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Augusta?
A tenant in Augusta can report a health or safety violation by calling Code Enforcement at (706) 312-5050. Be ready to provide contact information, the location of the issue, and a detailed description of the issue.
What Could Happen to a Landlord After a Complaint Is Made in Georgia?
After tenants file a complaint about unsafe living conditions in Georgia, an officer may inspect the property. Code violations must be repaired, often within a specific time (for example, 10 days for many public nuisances). Otherwise, the landlord could be fined and the government might file to condemn the property.
Sources
- 1 State of Ga. Dep’t. of Com’ty. Aff., Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook p. 46 (10th ed. 2012)
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Nonbinding legal guidance provided by the Department of Community Affairs typifies the applicable standards: “The landlord is responsible for maintaining the building structure and keeping operational systems such as the electric, heating, and plumbing. The landlord is also responsible for repairing any appliances including heating and air conditioning included in the rental unit. A landlord is further responsible for meeting all local ordinances and minimum safety standards.” State of Ga. Dep’t. of Com’ty. Aff., Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook p. 46 (10th ed. 2012) For a more recent but summary statement of applicable standards, see also State of Ga. Dep’t of Com’ty Aff., Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook: A Landlord-Tenant Guide to the State’s Rental Laws p. 10 (rev. Feb. 2021)
Source Link - 2 State of Ga. Dep’t. of Com’ty. Aff., Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook p. 46 (10th ed. 2012)
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Nonbinding legal guidance provided by the Department of Community Affairs typifies the applicable standards: “The tenant should not be charged for repairs caused by ordinary wear and tear. Before a landlord can be required to make a repair, he must be given notice of the defect. The tenant should give the landlord written dated notice of the problem needing repair. The tenant should keep a copy as a record of any such notice.”
Source Link - 3 Ellis v. Hartford Run Apartments, LLC, 335 Ga. App. 118, 121 (Ga. Ct. App. 2015)
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“The landlord’s failure to make repairs within a reasonable time after due notice is given renders him liable to the tenant for damages resulting from the failure to make such repairs. This is true even though the landlord attempts to make repairs since he is responsible until the repairs are actually accomplished.”
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